Zero Time to Airline® Program Frequently Asked Questions

Training & Schedule

Questions about how the ZTA program is structured day-to-day: time commitment, schedule, time-off policy, what you’ll need, and what to expect when training doesn’t go to plan.

How long does ZTA take to complete?

Students starting from zero flight experience typically complete the ZTA program in 11 to 14 months. If you already hold a Private Pilot Certificate or Commercial Certificate, you’ll start further along in the program and finish faster.

Is the ZTA program full-time or part-time?

The Zero Time to Airline program is a Part 141 full-time program. It is not available on a part-time basis.

What does a typical day look like in ZTA?

Classroom training typically runs between 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM. Flight hours generally fall between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM, with schedules released about a week in advance.

What certificates and ratings do I earn in ZTA?

ZTA students earn six FAA certificates and ratings: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single-Engine, Commercial Multi-Engine, CFI, and CFII.

Which checkrides does Thrust handle in-house through Examining Authority?

Thrust holds FAA Examining Authority for the Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and CFI checkrides. This eliminates DPE wait times for those events, which can otherwise add weeks or months to training.

What’s the pass rate on checkrides at Thrust?

Thrust does not publish a single program-wide checkride pass rate. The honest reason is that pass rates vary by checkride type, examiner, and student starting point, and a single number would oversimplify how training actually performs.

What happens if I fail a stage check or checkride?

Stage check failures are internal to Thrust and trigger remediation training before you re-attempt the check. Checkride failures with an FAA examiner are reported to the FAA on a Form 8710 but are not career-ending. Both result in additional training cost.

What happens if my CFI gets hired by an airline mid-training?

Your training continues without delay. You’ll be reassigned to another Thrust CFI, your lesson plans and progress notes transfer with you, and your scheduling priority does not change.

Can I take time off during ZTA training?

Students are permitted a maximum of 10 days off during the program. All time-off requests except company holidays require prior approval and should be submitted as early as possible.

Should I take my FAA written exams before starting ZTA?

We strongly recommend completing the Private, Instrument, and Commercial written exams before starting, but it’s not mandatory. Test prep materials are included once you enroll, and your written test fees are reimbursed when you’re training with us at that rating.

What kind of iPad do I need for ZTA training?

You’ll need a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad with at least 256GB of storage, specifically an iPad Air 5th generation or newer, or an iPad Mini 6th generation or newer.

Cost & Financing

Cost of training, what’s included and what isn’t, refund policy, financing options, and what happens financially if your situation changes mid-program.

What is included in the Zero Time to Airline program?

ZTA is an all-inclusive program covering test prep, 25 hours of multi-engine time, all first-attempt written exam and checkride fees, all books, materials, uniforms, and a book bag. A David Clark headset is included for students starting at Private.

What is not included in the Zero Time to Airline program?

The program does not include living expenses, FAA medical and TSA fees, the required iPad and ForeFlight subscription, or aircraft renter’s insurance. These are paid separately by the student.

Do I need a cosigner to finance ZTA?

Most students need a cosigner unless they have strong income and credit on their own. If you’re denied by one lender, our financial aid advisors will help you apply with another. Thrust works with multiple lenders to give you alternatives.

Do you accept the GI Bill or VA benefits?

GI Bill eligibility for ZTA varies by location and program component. Some Thrust courses are VA-approved and some are not. The most accurate path is to talk to an advisor who can review your specific benefits and which courses they would apply to.

When do I have to start paying off my flight school loan?

Terms vary by lender. Each financing partner has its own payment options, and the specific repayment terms are outlined in your loan agreement.

What is the refundable overage allowance?

All ZTA programs require an additional $5,000 refundable contingency allowance on top of the program cost. This covers unexpected expenses like additional flight hours or retake exams, and any unused balance is refunded at the end of the program.

What happens to my loan if I drop out of ZTA?

Your loan obligation remains in full, but you’re entitled to a partial refund of the cost of training based on how far into your current course you progressed. Any unused contingency allowance and prepaid courses not yet started are fully refunded.

Career Pathway

What ZTA leads to: airline hiring, regional first officer compensation, hour-building alternatives, and R-ATP eligibility.

How is Thrust Flight different from ATP?

The biggest practical differences are scale, examining authority, training environment, and sales approach. Thrust holds in-house Examining Authority for several certificates/ratings, trains in DFW Class B airspace, and focuses heavily on a strong student culture.

How often do airline recruiters visit Thrust?

Thrust hosts recruiters from our partner airlines several times per year. Students can meet with recruiters from each partner airline during these events.

How much do regional airline pilots make in their first year?

Most ZTA graduates reach 1,500 hours and apply to regional airlines about three years after starting training. Current first-year regional first officer base pay ranges from roughly $90,000 to $110,000.

How much do CFIs at Thrust get paid?

Pay varies by experience, the certificate level you’re instructing, and how many hours you fly per month. CFI pay is one of the things an advisor will walk through during the admissions conversation.

Does Thrust guarantee a CFI job after I finish ZTA?

Thrust guarantees an interview for every ZTA student who earns a CFI rating, but does not guarantee a job. We hire from our ZTA graduate pool when CFI positions open, prioritizing top performers.

Do I have to be a CFI to build 1,500 hours?

No. Alternatives for building hours include banner towing, pipeline patrol, aerial survey, Part 135 right-seat positions, and skydive operations. CFI work is the most common path because it pays better and accumulates hours faster than most alternatives.

What is the Accelerated Commercial Certificate?

The Accelerated Commercial Certificate is an FAA-approved program available to select Part 141 flight schools that allows commercial students to complete their training in fewer flight hours than required in traditional commercial programs.

Can I get an R-ATP through ZTA?

ZTA graduates need 1,500 hours to qualify for an ATP certificate. The 1,000 and 1,250 hour R-ATP reductions are only available through specific FAA-approved degree programs that ZTA is not part of.

Training Operations

How Thrust runs its training operation: instructor assignments, maintenance, and the day-to-day mechanics that protect your training timeline.

What’s the student-to-instructor ratio, and will I have a dedicated CFI?

Each ZTA student is assigned a primary CFI for the duration of each course. While occasional schedule overlaps may put you with a different instructor for a single lesson, your primary CFI is responsible for your training progression.

What’s the student-to-aircraft ratio at Thrust?

Thrust manages its fleet so that aircraft availability isn’t the bottleneck on your training timeline. Fleet size scales with active student count, and our in-house maintenance team keeps utilization high.

Does Thrust have its own aircraft maintenance facility?

Yes. All Thrust aircraft maintenance is performed by our own team of in-house mechanics. This minimizes aircraft downtime and keeps more planes available for student training.

Admissions

Eligibility, medical certification, disclosure requirements, age, and timelines for both domestic and international applicants.

Do you offer discovery flights?

Yes. Discovery flights are a great way to see what flight training is actually like before you enroll. You’ll fly with a Thrust CFI and get a real feel for the training environment.

Can I tour the campus before enrolling?

Yes. Campus tours are encouraged and easy to schedule. You’ll meet the admissions team, see the training facility, and can often combine the tour with a discovery flight on the same visit.

Where are Thrust Flight’s campuses?

Thrust Flight has five campuses: Addison, Texas (Dallas area), Denison, Texas (north of Dallas), Conroe, Texas (Houston area), Phoenix, Arizona and Burleson, Texas (Fort Worth).

How old do I need to be to enroll in ZTA?

You must be 18 years old by the date your ZTA class starts. There is no upper age limit.

What FAA medical conditions could disqualify me from flight training?

Conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, certain heart conditions, untreated mental health diagnoses, recent substance abuse, and seizure disorders can disqualify you. Many disqualifying conditions can be resolved through the FAA’s Special Issuance (SI) process, which requires medical documentation and additional review.

Do I have to disclose past mental health treatment, ADHD medication, or a DUI?

Yes. The FAA medical application requires honest disclosure of all relevant medical and legal history. Past conditions are often issuable through the Special Issuance process, but failing to disclose is a federal offense that can end your aviation career.

Can international students join the ZTA program?

At this time, Thrust Flight is not equipped to accept international students. ZTA is currently available only to US citizens and certain non-US citizens already legally present in the United States with TSA approval.

How long does TSA approval take for international students?

Non-US citizens should start the admissions process at least 60 days before their intended start date. TSA approval alone typically takes 30 to 90 days, and visa or residency status must be confirmed separately before enrollment.